Productivity Archives — Page 2 of 9 — the creative minimalist

March 11, 2018 By Darren 2 Comments

My planner and journal dilemma

My planner and journal dilemma is all about monthly vs weekly vs daily and the best way to track them. It’s slowly coming together, but the journey will take a little longer. Bullet journal and Planner fun with the creative minimalist. And I would love to hear how you resolve these issues… or do you plan in such a way that the issue doesn’t even surface?

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December 19, 2017 By Darren 1 Comment

My word for 2018 Day Nineteen

me thinking about my word for 2018 I wasn’t sure if I wanted a word for 2018. I set out with the intention of choosing one. Then I hit the doubt wall. I got stuck in a focus loop. A word to focus on can bring focus. A word for 2018 would bring me focus for the year. I need to focus because I so often lack it. focus as a word is a bit of a cop-out though.

I almost went with transition, or its variant transit. In the end, I thought that was just a little too transient – sorry, couldn’t resist that.

There were others as well, balance, journey and many more of a similar nature. One very strong possibility was rewild. I am really inspired by George Monbiot’s Feral (Affiliate link). Going into 2018 I want to explore some of the ideas, or rather, the philosophies in the book with regard to my spiritual journey and how I approach journaling. For a while both of those words were potentials, but I felt they didn’t really encompass everything I wanted to do.

In 2017 I have done things I didn’t think I could do. I started in 2016, but a few hiccups made it an abortive process. I want to continue to achieve what I can. Doing new things, stepping out of my comfort zone and not putting off things ‘just because’ or losing … erm, well, focus.

So back to focus and my lack of. It is down to concentrating too much on the future. I dream of the future, I imagine what it could be like and I lose myself wondering how to get there. Basically, I struggle with the here and now, and yes there are a few of us out there. It’s far too easy to blame the writer in me, imagining unknown worlds and bringing them into being on the page. I wouldn’t mind if the writer was focused and didn’t put things off, but he does!

I want a word that captures the moment. I want a word that doesn’t sound like management speak. I want a word that speaks of enjoying and wanting and being part of the ‘moments’.

In the end, as my word for 2018, I chose…

Embrace

Embrace is my word for 2018 I like the way it is warm and friendly toward everything I apply it too. It is a positive act. It is an extrovert type word (well, for me) and for this introvert that is good. It is a long way from management speak and, although a little liberal/hippie/Buddhist that’s no bad thing, and I think there is little better for me than to embrace the moment this next year.

So as I step into 2018 I can:

Embrace finishing projects
Embrace feral spirituality
Embrace relationships
Embrace stepping out of my comfort zone
Embrace asking others
Embrace the difficult situations where I find myself (vocational and personal)
Embrace challenges
Embrace what I can’t change
Embrace the changes I can make

And, of course,

Embrace this life I have been given

This past year I have taken chances and said yes instead of no. In 2018 I intend to take more and I will embrace each and every one.

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December 8, 2017 By Darren Leave a Comment

My Utopian Future Day Eight

an image of me... in the future or just a filter
Yesterday’s review post was a reminder to stop and let things be. I have a habit of running off and living in the future. I have destinations in mind. I have achievements to attain. I have relationships to be in. Looking forward is fine. Living there and not bothering to take the journey is futile.

As I journaled this morning I was thinking about the ‘so what?’. In particular what worked and what didn’t work for me in the past 12 months. Then, trying to see why. Why wasn’t I able to do this or that and why was I able to achieve certain things.

Once again my old future friend was there. ‘Let’s skip the actual doing and just get there,’ he said with blind abandon.

This friend has been with me for most of my life. I remember a time at school when another friend pointed out, with amazing wisdom for one so young, that I always have big ideas but do little to achieve them. More recently, and scientifically, my Belbin Team type revealed a little more about this wonderful strategic thinker and ideas person, who got bored during the process.

OK, let’s work with my strengths. I’ll just be an ideas person. That doesn’t really help in my freelance capacity and achieving my own goals and projects. Am I in the wrong role? Should I give up the freelance work? I have been exploring the giving up and trying something different recently. To be honest, it isn’t working, it doesn’t feel right but is helping me see what I should be doing.

It is doing and achieving my creative projects, and other freelance work, that I get the most personal satisfaction. And, this is where the review comes in really handy, I have been able to achieve them… or some of them.

Breaking future goals down into steps is productivity 101. This goes against my very being, despite the fact that I know it has to be done. I struggle with it, but I can do it. When I do, I achieve and I complete.

So, if I can do this and I know how to do this, why can’t I achieve everything I set out to do? Why do I manage to break down some project but not others? I am sure it is because I still dream of that future, that idealised, utopian future. And, just perhaps, I am a little afraid that that future may not always be as wonderful as I envisage.

Positive in Mercury Retrograde day two

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread
Alexander Pope

As I write this Mercury is just about, or has just gone, retrograde. Mercury Retrograde is an astronomical event that gives the impression that the planet Mercury is travelling back across the night sky. This happens due to the way the planet orbits and hangs out with the sun (or Sol, to be really with it).

Mercury Retrograde is also an astrological event, according to those of that ilk. It’s a time when one is advised not to embark on new projects, as various things might go awry. It is fine to plan and think and envision, but wait till Mercury goes back to the forward to implement things.

This is great for me. As I mentioned here, I am reviewing and planning. Far too often I jump straight into things. I don’t stop and think. Using Mercury Retrograde as a thing will be good for me.

Rituals, calendar events, myth, superstition – I am using them all over the next few weeks. Mercury Retrograde is seen as being a negative time by some, let’s see if I can use it to a positive end.

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November 28, 2017 By Darren Leave a Comment

Latte loquacity Productivity Perils

The rain stops, but I still head to the coffee shop to sit, think and write. I arrive later than I normally do and the place is buzzing. I’m sure I can pick up on the pulse of life today.

Free WiFi means I can write. It also means the grandparents sitting opposite can Skype. They are talking to their son. From the accent, and yes I can hear him across the coffee shop, he might be in Australia, and been there some time. Here we are in a small fishing town conversing with the opposite side of the world – hearing so much I feel like I am part of the conversation. What jiggery-pokery would our ancestors think this is, they would have us burnt at the stake. After a flat white that is.

Skype has ended. Their other son is present. The conversation similar.

I’m not overhearing much. It might be my position. I like to sit looking at the passers-by. I think I will catch a glimpse of my future love, our eyes will meet and the rest will be history. The reality is that I would remain rooted in my chair as they walk off into the distance. I never say anything to anyone.

Since I arrived the place has emptied out. Is it something I said, done or is my being here enough to empty the place? Have they run in fear that I will expose their opinions on the news of the day? I worry too much.

My heart has not been taken by anyone walking past. Those who are walking by seem to be in that malaise that grips shoppers. It’s a meander that hints at intention but ultimately understands the futility of it all. We shop, therefore we are.

Perhaps I should download a new app in the hope that it will improve my productivity as a writer. UK productivity is in the doldrums and I would like to do my bit. I’ll drink my coffee a little quicker.

The British were once described as a nation of shopkeepers (wrongly attributed to Napoleon, but that’s not the point here). We are a nation of shopkeepers and shoppers. One part of the economy that is growing is the artisan trade. Increased productivity and artisan creativity are not overly compatible though. Perhaps I should pop outside and encourage the meandering shoppers to move faster and with more intention. Come on everybody, the fate of the nation hangs on our ability to be more productive. All we can do to improve this economic situation is to spend a little quicker. I have the feeling there is a bubble somewhere waiting to burst.

No one here seems very worried about it though. They have bought their Latte. They have their toasted sandwich. Christmas is just around the corner, which means more shopping. And all this worrying about the economy is doing nothing for my word count and my blog post productivity.

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Embrace

Embrace this life I have been given

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